laparotomy

Surgical incision into the abdominal wall, especially into the flank.

In surgery, incision into the abdominal cavity; abdominal section.

A cutting through the walls of the abdomen, as in the Cæsarean section.

The surgical procedure for making an incision in the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. Performed either as exploratory surgery, or as the first step in an abdominal operation.

Surgical incision into the abdominal wall; often done to examine abdominal organs.